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Friday, December 5, 2014

Soldier, Jose Ortega ~ Will 1825

Know all who see this testament
that I, Jose Ortega, 2nd Corporal of the National Company of Santa
Fe, find myself ill and execute this my last will and testament in the
following form.

I declare to have been married to
Maria Manuela Rodrigues in which we had four children of which one died; and
they are Maria Manuela, Nicolasa and Jose. The three mentioned are living whom together
with my wife, declare as my legitimate children and lawful heirs.

I declare that I have been married
to Maria Guadalupe Sandoval for eight years in which we had and reared to
children: Jose Macimo and Juan Pablo, whom I acknowledge together with my wife
as my legitimate children and lawful heirs.

I declare as my property a gun, a
lance, a cartridge belt, a saddle, a pair of saddle pads, a bridle, and a pair
of stirrups, boots, a rope and a garina.

I declare as my property two
unbranded mules of the company; one horse owed me by the soldier Santiago
Armijo which I order collected; and a burro which is at my house.

I declare to have in the company my
balances, the amount of which I’m ignorant; but it will be known by the account
book.

I declare two rooms in a house
which my brother Felipe Sandoval has made use of.I order the equivalent be collected.

I declare as my household
furniture, five holy pictures, two mattresses, a blanket, a hide, two boxes
without locks, and one with a lock.

I declare that all my chattels and
what is left of my balance it is my will, if any first children agree and God
deigns to take me to His judgment, that they be divided in two equal parts; the
first for my wife and the second for my first and second children.

I declare that Ramon Baca, a
resident of El Vado, owes me eight pesos and eight sacks of corn, I order this
collected.

I declare that don Cristobal Larrañaga owes me two pesos; and Jose Larrañaga owes
me two pesos more; I order them collected.

I declare that I owe the Señor
Political Chief nine pesos in cash; I order them paid.

I order that of the residue of my
balances, after paying that which is mentioned in the foregoing former clause
and of all mentioned in this testament, I leave half to my wife and the other
half to be divided equally among my children; and this is my will which must be
fulfilled as stated.

I declare as my administrators,
first my brother-in-law, Andres Ortega and second my brother, Francisco
Sandoval.